Indian Regiment OSD Bronze cap badge Firmin marked

[Kirmington]

Hi, I have been offered an British Indian Army bronze twin bladed die cast cap badge with a small 'Firmin, London' makers tablet on the back. Can anyone tell me when it might have been manufactured? Probably a dumb question but please humour a beginner!

[Bill A]

Hello Kirmington, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

[peter monahan]

Firmin was/is a British firm, Londoin based, which makes sense as much of the military insignia for British officers of thew IA was made in the UK right up to Independence. Here is a link with some info. on the company: http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ead.php?t=3605

Welcome to the Indian section of the Forum!

Peter

[Kirmington]

Many thanks Peter, it is an Indian Farms Department Badge so it sounds like a good one. K

[peter monahan]

Very probably, as this would be a rare but not tremendously desireable badge so unlikely to be re-made/faked. The IA had its own horse and mule breeding establishments and, for all I know, ox and elephant production farms as well, so Indian Farms is a really obscure but very interesting badge! Might you post a photo for us? If you can't do that, feel free to send me a photo and I'll stick it up here, if you don't mind. Thanks.[petemonahan@sympatico.ca]

Peter

[Kirmington]

Will do Peter if I can get it for a good price! I have some other badges that I will post as well. K

[peter monahan]

Excellent!

[pinfrin]

Originally Posted by peter monahan

Very probably, as this would be a rare but not tremendously desireable badge so unlikely to be re-made/faked. The IA had its own horse and mule breeding establishments and, for all I know, ox and elephant production farms as well, so Indian Farms is a really obscure but very interesting badge! Might you post a photo for us? If you can't do that, feel free to send me a photo and I'll stick it up here, if you don't mind. Thanks.[petemonahan@sympatico.ca]

Peter

The Military Grass Farms badge with the Latin. Found one (Cox 2598). Attd
However, don't know what other bits of the Military Farms Department wore
- Duck, Rabbit, Dairy, Pigeon, Cattle, Poultry Farms. Request info. please.
{Bullock, Camel, Mule, Horse, Elephant, Dog processes were / are differently enabled}

MILITARY FARMS (1912 - 1939) comprised -
(a) Military Dairy Farms
Farms (51) Depots (36) Creameries (9) Young & Dry Stock Farms (15)
( + One Grass Farm converted to a Dairy Farm, 1938 )
(b) Military Grass Farms
Farms (74) Depots (25)

MILITARY FARMS (1939 -1947) comprised -
(a)Military Dairy Farms
Farms (69) Depots (60) Creameries & Milk Purchasing Depots (44)
Young & dry Stock Farms (18) Military Farm Factories (3) Cattle Purchase Depots (4)
(b) Other Military Farms
Vegetable Gardens (21) Poultry (20) Pig (18) Duck (2) Rabbit (2) Pigeon (1)
(c) Military Grass Farms
Farms (22) Depots (20) Fodder Baling Depots (102)

Poultry Farm No. 4 (Delhi) still exists off the highway between the Airport and the Delhi War Cemetery. Will ask for a pic.

Empirical as the 'Great Hedge of India'
https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...el.travelbooks

[peter monahan]

At one point, grass cutter was actually a 'follower' rank in the Indian Army, like sweeper, washerman and so on. The Urud word escapes me, but farming grass and setting up fodder baling depots would seem a logical progression, especially given how many of the IAs campaigns were on the North West Frontier, where findng suitable fodder for large transport trains must have been a real challenge.